For two weeks, from September 18 to October 3rd, 2021, the Arc de Triomphe monument was wrapped by Christo and Jeanne-Claude (posthumously, as Jeanne-Claude died in 2009 and Christo, in 2020). Christo and Jeanne-Claude wrapped up several of well-known monuments all over the world, the Pont-Neuf (1985) among them as well as the Reichstag in Berlin (1995).
The Arc de Triomphe, however, had a special meaning for them, as Paris is the place where they first met. They started planning their Arc de Triomphe project in 1961, so yes, it was 60 years in the making.
The Place de l’Étoile at the center of which thrones the Arc de Triomphe, is a giant roundabout where no fewer than twelve avenues meet. If you look at it from above and zoom in, you will see there are triangles on the road surface making it effectively look like a star (étoile in French).
During the opening weekend of the Wrapped exhibition, all twelve avenues were closed off, and the roundabout was open to pedestrians. It was possible not only to approach the artwork but to actually touch it.
Meanwhile, veteran associations watched over the eternal flame below the Arc and the daily ceremony of relighting the flame continued.
